Conviction and perseverance have striking similarities. Once you are convinced about a particular struggle, you tenaciously develop a strong will of perseverance to enable you stay firm and focused on your dream or aspiration.
The global history is replete with men and women who through perseverance became successful in their ultimate convictions. Martin Luther’s perseverance and conviction about freedom, equity, justice and fairness aided his dream to come through.
Winston Churchill was convinced that pacifying Adolf Hitler would be both horrendous and horrible, thus he persevered and waited for the right opportunity before dealing a devastating blow to the German war monger whom he was convinced never meant well for world peace and stability. Churchill had perseverance and conviction.
At the same time, Mahatma Gandhi of India, Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana certainly understood the true essence of this twin virtues called conviction and perseverance and all three men imbibed these powerful elements of nature.
Gandhi was convinced on what he called peaceful, non- violent protest against the British colonial masters and it worked miracles. Both Mandela and Nkrumah suffered imprisonments at various times.
However, through perseverance and conviction in what they believed in – constitutional democracy for Africa through the people’s votes – those two men separately realized their dreams: Ghana became independent and South Africa was freed from the chains of apartheid; and subsequently Nkrumah and Mandela served as president and prime minister of their respective countries.
For 22 years, Arsenal were convinced they could lift the English Premier League title. They have come close to winning the EPL title on several occasions but failed in many attempts
And since 2005, the Gunners have been campaigning to once more qualify for the UEFA Champions League final without any success. Yet, they persevered and were convinced that sooner than later, they would achieve that aim.
Today, Arsenal are English champions and will play UCL final as well on May 30 against PSG. This is the gain of perseverance and conviction. Arsenal, dramatically, have demonstrated that conviction and perseverance built on hard work, dilligence and capacity will surely produce the desired results. Arsenal had conviction and persevered and they have achieved.
This brings this discourse to His Excellency, The Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha’s political convictions as well as his perseverance hue in the face of odds and challenges, particularly as 2027 general election knocks around the corner.
After a successful and rewarding 12 years expedition as a national lawmaker leading to his emergence as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Ihedioha, a strong supporter of Arsenal, contested the governorship of Imo State.
As fate would have it, like Arsenal in the last 22 seasons, he lost gallantly to the incumbent governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Like Arsenal, Ihedioha kept hope alive. He went back to his base and revived his political structure which eventually became bigger, better and stronger.
Convinced about his governorship dream and aspiration, Ihedioha persevered. He worked harder while still remaining focused as well as upholding his principles enshrined in character, courage, capacity and competence.
Therefore, Ihedioha, after diligently obliterating all obstacles that made him not to be victorious in 2015, was poised for the 2019 Imo State governorship election – he won. Sadly, after seven months in office, he was controversially sacked by the Supreme Court.
As a man who pays attention to detail, due process and procedure, Ihedioha, since 2020 when he left office, has been working assiduously with his eyes and mind focused on 2027 elections.
Of course, like Arsenal’s EPL victory after two score years and two have demonstrated, Ihedioha, a politician whose strong point is all about vision, planning and delivery, will equally make it big in 2027.
Any man who believes in conviction and practises perseverance is usually resilient. It is usually difficult convincing him otherwise especially when the points are weak and feeble.
The lesson is, respect a man of conviction and perseverance. They know their onions. Like Arsenal, they are focused, dedicated, disciplined and determined. Moreover, they are consistent – not jumping here and there. And Ihedioha is one of them.
